Some positive developments have emerged in Afghanistan.
Last year, the production of opium poppy was reduced by half.
This decline was attributed to a crop disease…NOTHING related to the actions of the troops.
I’ve often felt that the American fixation on destroying poppy crops is futile. Why take away from locals their best chance to combat hunger? This is a conflict that is unlikely to be resolved…and the statistics support this.
American politicians CLAIM they desire to eliminate the poppy trade, yet if you consider it…the war could, and likely will, cease after the USA reaches an agreement with Afghanistan to share its mineral wealth. As a result, the poppy fields will be conveniently ignored. The US may continue to talk about ‘eradicating’ the poppy trade, but in practice, they will ignore it.
One could also point out that politicians have never seriously considered the reunification of Zimbabwe, nor have they contemplated dismantling Robert Mugabe’s oppressive regime.
But why would they? There’s little to gain from such actions. If unrest were to spark in Nigeria…just watch how US politicians (and their allies in the UK and Australia) would rush to condemn the situation and proclaim the need for intervention.
Saddam Hussein was responsible for the deaths of many innocents, but that was the method he employed to govern Iraq. It’s likely he disapproved of Western societal structures, much like Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. So, what distinguishes the two cases?
It’s akin to dietary preferences regarding meat. In various cultures, dogs and guinea pigs are consumed. We eat lamb. So what makes it different? Is it simply because dogs are intelligent and guinea pigs are endearing? While lamb and sheep might not possess remarkable intelligence, is it justifiable to penalize them for that? It’s fundamentally a matter of cultural differences…what we refer to as horses for courses. Interestingly, horse meat is also considered a delicacy in specific regions.
The sole reason for the continuation of the Afghan War is the potential for financial gain.
I wish to see Australia, along with other nations, distance itself from the US. There are numerous domestic issues that require attention before we attempt to rectify global problems. Let the Afghans resolve their own conflicts, let the Koreans do the same…frankly, I am more interested in the outcome of the Adelaide vs. Essendon match next Friday night…and I don’t have a stake in either team. If Western civilization is concerned about nations developing nuclear weapons…then why not obliterate those nations? The world is already overpopulated…and it could serve as an effective means to balance the human race.
Indeed, the world deserves saving, but until there is a threat to the Australian way of life, my concern is minimal. Bring the troops home, halt the influx of boat people, cease refugee acceptance, and stop facilitating the entry of foreigners who show no intention of embracing Australian values. Prohibit ALL Muslims from entering the country. Yes, there are some who are benevolent, yet we must acknowledge a crucial observation.
“Not every Muslim is a terrorist…but every terrorist is a Muslim.”
They seek to alter YOUR way of life; examine the Koran…every Muslim sympathizes with even the most radical Muslims, even if they don’t endorse it.
A message directed at the US: The poppy fields do not require destruction…but surprisingly, something else does…
by Sel Hurst
